Magistrate directs residents to vacate houses immediately to facilitate demolition process
Illegal houses on comunidade land in Kadpawada, Cunchelim, which is in possession of the government. (Inset) Demolition notice affixed on one of the houses.
MAPUSA
In a significant development in Cunchelim-Mapusa, the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bardez, Kabir Shirgaonkar has issued demolition notices to house owners who were duped and unknowingly purchased government-owned land that now faces demolition.
The affected families, many of whom spent their life savings on these parcels of land, were informed that their homes were constructed illegally on government property.
The notice, issued under the Goa (Land Prohibition on Construction) Act, 1995, pertains to land identified as PT Sheet No 1 Chalta No 10/3 and PT Sheet No 2 Chalta No 11/1 in the village of Cunchelim.
Shirgaonkar stated that a demolition squad has been requisitioned to clear unauthorised constructions on this government-owned land.
Around 39 notices, affixed to the doors of affected houses, directed residents to vacate immediately to facilitate the demolition process.
The news has left the families in a state of shock and despair.
Many homeowners claim they were unaware that the land they purchased belonged to the Cunchelim comunidade and had been acquired by the government.
They allege they were duped by sellers into buying the plots, investing significant sums to secure land and construct their homes.
“We spent our life’s savings on this property, and now we’re being told our homes are illegal,” said one distressed homeowner.
Another resident added, “We were never informed about the status of this land. It’s heartbreaking to think everything we’ve built could be taken down.”
As the families now brace for potential eviction, many have appealed for a review of their cases, hoping to avoid losing their homes.
The incident has also sparked calls for increased oversight to prevent similar situations, with residents urging authorities to investigate the transactions that led to these unfortunate purchases.
